By BETH MCATEER, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, May 23, 2012.

In 2012, an EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri, destroying 8,000 buildings, killing 160 citizens, and injuring almost a thousand. Here is the heroic story of how medical professionals and emergency responders in the area - with the help of local volunteers - used community-based planning to save lives, limit physical damage, and transfer hospital patients and the "walking wounded" to alternate healthcare facilities. 

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Click HERE to view the full article. 

By SAMUEL JOHNSON JR, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, September 10, 2014.

Being a great leader requires much more than just a title. True leaders build a solid foundation on honor and respect, which includes building rapport with others and being aware that all actions have consequences. Emergency management and public safety officials all have the ability to be "leaders" and agents for change.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

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By JAMES L. GREENSTONE, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 25, 2023.

During a disaster, responders face many challenges and must make difficult decisions. For health care professionals, accepting a sufficient standard of care during a crisis may be the most difficult. This mental health perspective provides some key points to consider before the next crisis occurs.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Click HERE to view the full article.

By CHRISTINA NUNEZ, KYLE PFEIFFER & RAO KOTAMARTHI, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 25, 2023.

A new, publicly available tool provides a window into how future climate realities could affect U.S. cities and towns. Learn how planners and decision-makers can get map-based analyses driven by peer-reviewed climate data using this free portal.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Click HERE to view the full article.

By MONTY DOZIER, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 18, 2023. 

When supply chains were diminished during the coronavirus pandemic, leaders had to find innovative ways to protect their communities. In Texas, they used the Pony Express model to ensure the delivery of personal protective equipment, critical supplies, and vaccines to those in need.

Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

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By PETER JOHNSON, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 18, 2023. 

Training is often a check-the-box task. However, it can be difficult to know how much training was learned. Virtual reality and its related analytics provide a way to heighten participation and monitor learning levels for numerous threat scenarios.

Narrated by Bonnie Weidler.

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By JAMES METZGER, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, February 24, 2016.

With Amtrak's rail lines spanning communities across the United States (and parts of Canada), it is in a prime position to engage the whole community and to build national resilience. Planning, training, and educational efforts provide a way to bring employees, passengers, and other community stakeholders into the preparedness cycle.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Click HERE to view the full article. 

By CATHERINE L. FEINMAN & JOE D. MANOUS JR., An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, April 27, 2016.

All infrastructure is not the same. Across disciplinary sectors, agencies and organizations must identify the key elements necessary to ensure “a system” (e.g., community) has a minimum level of resilience, as a system is only as strong as the weakest link.  The challenges of cross-cutting issues and limited resources for which disciplinary sectors compete, compounds the challenges. On 9 March 2016, DomPrep hosted a roundtable discussion in Arlington, Virginia, to address “Critical Infrastructure – A Failing Grade.”

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Click HERE to view the full article. 

By JAMIE HANNAN, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 11, 2023. 

Planners in the Harris County area are successful specifically because of the relationships they have built over many years. For example, the county’s Industrial Liaisons Program provides many positive takeaways and best practices practitioners can implement throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

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By PAUL MARSHALL, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 11, 2023. 

An all-hazards design process considers the function of the building during normal operations as well as the safety of the occupants and the surrounding community against possible risks and threats. Like layers of an onion, effective security should take a multi-layered approach. Safety and security do not need to be compromised for a facility’s functionality and beauty.

Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

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By MICHÉLE SAMARYA-TIMM, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 21, 2014. 

With more than 40 Olympic venues serving an estimated 14 million meals, the 2012 London Olympic Games were susceptible to many potential foodborne illnesses - both intentional and unintentional. However, through education, communications, surveillance, and a focus on surge capacity, London provided a model that could help protect the food supply at other mass gatherings around the world.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

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By RANDALL C. DUNCAN, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, July 26, 2011.  

A distinguished national officer of the International Association of Emergency Managers provides a short but concise list of helpful recommendations that grant-seekers at all levels of government, and in the private sector, might be well advised to follow in preparing, reviewing, submitting, and following up on their own grant applications.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Click HERE to view the full article.

By CHARLES (CHUCK) PERINO, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 04, 2023.

When disaster strikes, sometimes those trained to respond find themselves and their families fleeing from the fire. Once their families are safe, they jump back in to assist wherever needed. This scenario happened to one emergency manager when the Beachie Creek wildfire engulfed surrounding Oregon communities with little warning.

Narrated by MacGregor Stephenson.

Click HERE to view the full article.

By JENNIFER LANGUELL, An Article Out Loud from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, January 04, 2023.  

When Category 4 Hurricane Ian crossed Florida in September 2022, more than 4 million Florida homes and businesses lost power. However, one town kept the lights on and was spared the devastation the cities surrounding it faced. With resilience and sustainability in mind, this author shares the planning involved in creating this resilient community.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

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By CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS & ALLISON G. S. KNOX, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, April 03, 2019.

Fire, wind, and water – a lot of water. The year 2018 delivered all in a series of natural disasters that seemed almost continual. Throughout the year, there was a significant risk to lives and property caused by wildfires in the West, hurricanes in the Southeast, and flooding in numerous locales nationwide.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Click HERE to view the full article.

By COURTNEY GAVITT, An Article Out Loud Flashback from the Domestic Preparedness Journal, November 20, 2013.

Life science research benefits society in many ways, but also creates certain risks - particularly when that research falls into the wrong hands, either deliberately or unintentionally. Clearly defined rules and regulations governing the results of such dual-use research could help keep scientific research focused on less dangerous and more beneficial results.

Narrated by Randy Vivian.

Click HERE to view the full article.